DTOP decided to push back the mass dog wedding by five weeks, from its original Oct. 4 date. Guinness World Recordsâ marketing officials broached the idea so that it coincided with Guinness World Records Day, their annual global celebration of record-breaking attempts.

DTOP is aiming to break the current mass dog wedding record of 178 “couples,” established in May 2007 in Littleton, Colorado.

By agreeing to the shift, DTOP received numerous perks. Guinness World Records will offer international media outreach that includes featuring the tongue-in-cheek ceremony on its website, http://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/.

Guinness World Records also may provide, free of charge, an adjudicator—an official who determines on the spot if a record has been broken. Such a service typically comes with a fee in the thousands of dollars. A decision on a complimentary adjudicator is expected by Oct. 1.

Pat Zubak, DTOP’s executive director, said the opportunity was simply too good to pass up.

“The event has already generated lots of enthusiasm locally, with the public and the media,” said Zubak. “With this new twist, we’re thrilled to have a bigger platform to promote the Animal Care League’s cause as well as all of downtown Oak Park.”

Besides the broader media exposure and potential adjudicator, at least one other bonus will come DTOP’s way: if the organization sets the new record, it would be short-listed for inclusion in next year’s edition of the Guinness World Records book.

In addition to striving for conjugal canine glory, the event will raise money for the Animal Care League of Oak Park. The registration fee is $5 per dog, and DTOP is also seeking event sponsors whose funds will directly support the ACL, a shelter for cats and dogs at 1013 Garfield St.

Vows to be exchanged will occur along the newly re-opened Marion Street between North Boulevard and Lake Street. To pair up dogs who have not yet found their match, there will be a “speed dating” component on the day of the event.

Downtown Oak Park, the nonprofit corporation that manages and markets the central business district of Oak Park, is officially known as The Harlem Lake Corporation. Since 1988, the downtown business association has been comprised of property owner and retail owner members within Oak Park's Special Service Area #1.